On Wednesday, Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Sam Poulin announced his comeback following three months of mental health leave. He shared publicly his struggle, while thanking those close to him for their support during his time away from the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.
“Three months ago, I made a decision to take a break from hockey, and return home to take care of myself and my mental health,” Poulin’s instagram post began. “After seeking the help I needed, I am now ready to return to Wilkes-Barre to rejoin my team.”
“I want to thank everyone who helped get me through this difficult time, including my family, my girlfriend, my friends, my medical team, the entire Pittsburgh Penguins organization, my teammates, and the fans, who showed unconditional love and support. I strongly encourage everyone to speak openly about mental health because it affects us all. For those who may be struggling, please know that you are not alone.”
Pittsburgh’s 21st overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft joined Wilkes-Barre Scranton last season and scored 16 goals and 37 points in 72 games, placing him second in team scoring. He made his NHL debut in late-October and collected a point, but was sent back down to the minors for 13 games before leaving the team to deal with what was then reported as a ‘personal matter’.
Poulin put up 88 goals and an astounding 229 points in 192 games with the Sherbrooke Phoenix and Val-d”or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League during his time playing junior prior to turning pro.
He has since reported to Wilkes-Barre Scranton and is expected to return to the lineup as early as this coming weekend.
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